The sunset over Konoha—
Was breathtakingly beautiful.
So beautiful—
It could intoxicate the soul.
But tonight—
That sunset felt different.
As if it had been stained with blood.
…
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Hoshino Yoru moved swiftly beneath the crimson sky—
Accompanied by five ANBU wearing cat masks—
Rushing toward the Hoshino clan compound.
"Yoru-sama," one ANBU spoke.
"We'll observe from a distance first. Once night falls, we'll deploy a barrier."
"…Mm."
Yoru responded calmly.
"Make it fast."
"Yes, Yoru-sama!"
…
"Tonight's really dark…"
A patrol guard muttered uneasily.
"Yeah… feels kinda creepy…"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two sharp sounds cut through the air—
Two shuriken sliced across their throats.
Their eyes widened—
Trying to scream—
But only blood came out.
"Yoru-sama, we're ready."
"…Good."
Yoru's eyes gleamed with cold cruelty.
"I've waited long enough."
"Yes!"
The ANBU gave a signal—
The remaining four instantly scattered to the four corners of the compound.
Ninja Art: Four-Corner Barrier!
They formed seals in perfect synchronization—
Then slammed their palms onto the ground.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Four black barriers rose into the air—
Intersecting above—
Forming a sealed rectangular domain.
"Yoru-sama, it's complete."
"This barrier ensures nothing inside will be detected from the outside."
"…Excellent."
Yoru nodded.
"You—come with me."
"Yes!"
Whoosh!
The two of them entered the compound.
…
Hoshino Clan — Clan Head's Room.
Hoshino Ichiro had been restless all evening.
A sense of impending doom weighed on him.
Suddenly—
Outside the window—
An eerie dark crimson glow appeared.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless magma projectiles tore through the air—
Heading straight for him!
BOOM!!
The entire room exploded—
Engulfed in flames.
Whoosh!
Ichiro barely escaped using Body Flicker—
But his left arm—
Was struck.
Half of it—
Gone.
Burned flesh emitted a nauseating smell.
Sweat poured down his face from the agony.
He looked up—
And saw him.
Yoru.
Standing calmly—
With an ANBU beside him.
"WHY?!"
Ichiro roared.
"I'm no threat to you anymore!"
"Why kill us all?!"
Ever since Tsunade took Yoru as her disciple—
Ichiro had buried all hostility.
In Konoha—
Touching Tsunade meant courting death.
"…Why?"
Yoru's voice was ice-cold.
"The moment you decided to act against me—"
"Your fate was sealed."
"Clan Head!"
"What's happening?!"
Clan members rushed in—
Drawn by the explosion and flames.
"Yoru?!"
"Why attack us?! We're from the same clan!"
Confusion.
Fear.
Anger.
Pleading.
Chaos erupted.
At that moment—
The ANBU stepped forward.
"I am ANBU Captain of Squad Eight—codename: Lightning Python."
"Gather your clansmen immediately."
"If you don't want bloodshed."
The crowd panicked—
But obeyed.
Soon—
Two groups formed.
One small—
Led by the Second Elder.
One large—
Standing behind Ichiro.
"Y-Yoru…"
The Second Elder trembled.
"What is happening…?"
"No need to worry."
Yoru's tone softened slightly.
This elder—
Had once treated his family well.
"Hoshino Ichiro and his faction—"
"Tampered with my parents' mission."
"Causing their deaths."
Yoru's voice rang coldly across the compound.
"Tonight—"
"Is your judgment."
"Lies!"
"We didn't do anything!"
"Fabrication!"
The opposing group erupted in outrage.
Ichiro's face turned ashen.
He knew—
There was no escape.
Even if I die—
I'll take a piece of you with me!
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
He attacked suddenly—
A massive fireball blasting toward Yoru!
BOOM!!
Got him!
A flash of satisfaction crossed Ichiro's eyes—
But—
"You call that an attack?"
His expression froze.
Yoru stood there—
Untouched.
Not even his clothes were burned.
Sizzle—
Yoru raised his hand—
It transformed into dark crimson magma.
"You were right about one thing."
He looked at Ichiro coldly.
"To me—"
"You're nothing but an insect."
"Magma—Death Flame Bullets!"
Blinding crimson light erupted.
The air itself felt suffocated by death.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Magma erupted like a volcano—
Countless projectiles raining down.
"NO! SAVE ME!"
"Yoru! Spare us!"
"It wasn't me!"
Desperate screams filled the air—
But it was useless.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
The magma pierced through them all—
Bodies riddled—
Burning—
Disintegrating.
Ichiro—
Was obliterated completely—
Not even ashes remained.
…
The surviving group stood frozen—
As if witnessing hell itself.
At that moment—
The ANBU formed seals.
"Genjutsu: Illusion Technique."
The survivors collapsed unconscious.
"When they wake," said Lightning Python,
"They'll remember nothing."
"Only that a fire occurred—"
"And the clan head died in it."
"…Good."
Yoru smiled faintly.
"I'll leave the cleanup to you."
"After all—"
"You're the professionals."
"Yes, Yoru-sama."
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